Though electronic health records (EHRs) may provide an abundance of information at faster speeds than paper-based records ever could, the cost and challenges related to implementation have prevented many organizations from adopting EHRs. The Health Information Technology for Economic and Clinical Health (HITECH) Act aims to increase the adoption rate by providing financial incentives for health care organizations that demonstrate “meaningful use” of EHRs. In order to receive these funds, settings must meet a specific set of requirements identified by the HITECH legislation.

The adoption of an EHR can often be a frenzied process because of the incentives provided by the HITECH Act. In addition, the saturation of the technology market provides settings with an overwhelming amount of options from which to choose.

In this Discussion, you debate the effectiveness of the HITECH Act and Meaningful Use mandates.

To prepare:

· Consider the ways HITECH and Meaningful Use mandates have impacted a health care setting with which you are familiar.

· Conduct research in the Walden Library and through credible nursing organizations to assess how the nursing informatics community is addressing these mandates.

· Create a list that documents the pros and cons that mandates such as these have on health care settings. Reflect upon your list, and determine whether you believe these mandates are beneficial or harmful to health care organizations and nursing practice.

Chapter 5, “Open Source and Free Software”
This chapter introduces the role that open source and free software plays in informatics. The disruptive and beneficial effects of such software are also described.

Chapter 16, “Nursing Informatics and Healthcare Policy”
Much debate has revolved around the health care policies of the Obama administration. This chapter highlights the impact these policies could have on health care and the nursing informatics discipline in particular.

Chapter 27, “Computerized Provider Order Entry”
In this chapter, the authors explore the intricacies of electronic health record vendor applications. The chapter examines integration of electronic health records (EHRs) in the practice setting, the possible impacts EHRs can have on medical errors, and how nurses can support successful EHR adoption.

Chapter 43, “The TIGER Initiative”
This chapter assesses the TIGER initiative and its impact in the clinical setting. The chapter details how TIGER aims to integrate evidence and technology informatics into daily use to make health care safer and more effective.

Destined For Success!

This is one of the areas where nursing writing services like ours can help. We will be there when a student has to work extra shifts, when the babysitter cancels, or when life simply becomes too overwhelming. Whatever the need may be, our goal is to help students make it to graduation and achieve their dreams.